The SIC, on 19th July passed an order bringing Reliance Infra under the ambit of RTI after observing that though it was a private company it provided 'essential public service' of electricity and hence should come under the Act

Mumbai: Stating that it was a private company and not a public authority, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure (Reliance Infra) has approached the Bombay High Court challenging an order passed by the State Information Commission (SIC) bringing the company under the ambit of provisions of Right to Information (RTI) Act, reports PTI.

The SIC, on 19th July passed an order bringing Reliance Infra under the ambit of RTI after observing that though it was a private company it provided 'essential public service' of electricity and hence should come under the Act.

The order came following a complaint filed by one Anil Galgali. The commission had also directed the company to appoint a public information officer and an appellate officer as per provisions of RTI.

In its appeal challenging the order, Reliance Infra has said it is not a body or institution of the government, established or constituted by the Constitution of India. "Reliance Infra does not fall within the definition of a public authority as either being owned, controlled or substantially financed by the funds provided by the government," the petition states.

It further says that even the Information Commission has admitted that Reliance Infra is a private company and has not been set up by the government. "Thus there is no question of the RTI Act being made applicable to Reliance Infra. The order passed by the Commission is liable to be quashed and set aside," the company has said.

The petition would come up for hearing in due course of time. Mr Galgali had approached the commission after Reliance Energy declined to provide him information regarding his electricity bills. Mr Galgali had sought information under the RTI Act which was rejected saying the provisions of the Act does not apply to private companies.

Mr Galgali had argued before the commission that Reliance Infra was formed under the Company Act and functioned as a public utility and hence should come under the ambit of RTI.

Accepting his arguments, the commission had observed that the company was given work under the Electricity Act, 2003 and supplying power is a public service under the Act.

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The Delhi Police offered 21 days and later the two sides agreed on 15 days but that can be reviewed and the protest can be prolonged depending on what the government does on the demands put forward by Anna Hazare, Mr Kejriwal said

New Delhi: Team Anna Hazare today said the 15-day fast for a strong Lokpal Bill may go beyond the period depending upon the government's response to the agitation, reports PTI.

Mr Hazare's associate and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal said the 73-year-old Gandhian was actually planning a longer programme for the protest fast but there was a legal problem.

The Delhi Police offered 21 days and later the two sides agreed on 15 days but that can be reviewed and the protest can be prolonged depending on what the government does on the demands put forward by Mr Hazare, he said.

Mr Hazare, who began his fast on 16th August, has been demanding acceptance by the government of the Jan Lokpal Bill that would bring within its ambit the prime minister, higher judiciary and the conduct of MPs within Parliament besides other provisions.

Mr Kejriwal said Mr Hazare's health was fine and was not a matter of concern.

He said Mr Hazare will leave Tihar Jail at about 11am for Ramlila Maidan.

Mr Hazare, who has been in Tihar Jail since 16th August, will go in a car to the Ramlila Maidan, he said.

"He should leave around 11am," Mr Kejriwal said.

Asked if statements coming out that Mr Hazare's fast is indefinite and not a fast unto death was a climb-down, Mr Kejriwal said, "There is no climb-down. Anna Hazare never used the word fast unto death. It is an indefinite fast. Anna used the word indefinite because it is more spiritual. Fast unto death seems a little more in the connotation of blackmail."

He blamed the media for using the word 'fast unto death'.

Replying to questions about the possibility of certain organisations and individuals supporting the movement becoming violent, he said, "You have seen the movement so far remaining non-violent. This shows the spirituality of the entire movement."

Mr Kejriwal said it is the responsibility of the administration to take precautions so that anti-social elements don't penetrate the movement.

"If at all anything happens, I assure you that its not by the people, it will be by some people who try to create disturbance. Police need to keep a watch on that. We have told everyone that if you see someone doing that, please immediately ask the person to stop," he said.

Talking about the preparations on the ground, Mr Kejriwal said no grand preparations are being planned and things will be set up as the fast goes.

Large number of persons have turned up at the jail to welcome the anti-corruption crusader's release.

Though release orders for Mr Hazare were issued soon after he reached Tihar, the Gandhian refused to come out unless allowed to hold his fast unconditionally.

Later, his team had reached an agreement with the government yesterday under which Delhi Police had removed all restrictions and allowed him to carry out his hunger strike for a fortnight in the spacious Ramlila Maidan here.

Police personnel have been deployed around the jail and even a helicopter has been pressed into service.

Another associate Kiran Bedi said the Delhi Police commissioner has agreed to grant them further extension if asked for.

"There is no ban on number of days. All restrictive conditions have been removed. We have got an open permission to hold peaceful protest," Ms Bedi told reporters outside the jail.

Ms Bedi told reporters that Mr Hazare will go in a procession from the jail to Mayapuri, a distance of about 4-5km and then drive down to Rajghat. From there he will go to India Gate in central Delhi before moving to Ramlila Grounds, a short distance from there.

She appealed to the supporters not to block roads and traffic.

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rajnish

5 years ago

arvind ji I have became your follower and want to meet with youand participate in your movement.

“At the request of Aegon Mutual Fund, SEBI has cancelled the certificate of registration of Aegon Mutual Fund and has withdrawn the approval granted to Aegon Asset Management Company Pvt Ltd to act as the Asset Management Company,” SEBI said in a statement

New Delhi: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) yesterday said it has cancelled registration of Dutch financial services group Aegon to operate mutual fund business in the country, reports PTI.

Aegon had approached SEBI seeking cancellation of its licence.

“At the request of Aegon Mutual Fund, SEBI has cancelled the certificate of registration of Aegon Mutual Fund and has withdrawn the approval granted to Aegon Asset Management Company Pvt Ltd to act as the Asset Management Company,” SEBI said in a statement.

With immediate effect, Aegon Mutual Fund, Aegon Trustee Company Pvt Ltd and Aegon Asset Management Company Pvt Ltd cannot carry out any activity as a mutual fund, trustee company and asset management company respectively, it added.

In 2008 Aegon got SEBI approval to launch asset management business in India in partnership with Religare Enterprises.

However, barely a month after that the Dutch financial services firm and Religare Enterprises decided to part ways.

A host of asset management companies in the 41 member mutual fund industry currently has foreign partner. As at the end of June quarter, the industry managed average assets worth Rs7.43 lakh crore.